A New Louie Memorial Pavilion on Arnolds Way
While creating this month’s Sprout spreadsheet of new planning
applications for North Hinksey, I came across an application from North
Hinksey Parish Council for the new Louie Memorial Pavilion on Arnolds
Way. Intrigued, I have looked at the plans and supporting
documentation – not exactly my usual preferred bedtime reading!
I’m aware that there’s been some controversy over the Parish Council’s
plans to build a new pavilion but as I have no affiliation to the Parish
Council or any group using the pavilion, I feel I can report from a
completely neutral point of view.
The planning application was registered by the Vale of White Horse on
3 October as follows: ‘Demolition of existing single-storey former scout
hut and single-storey Louie Memorial Pavilion. Erection of new single
storey community and sports pavilion to replace existing. Associated
external works, car parking, access, landscaping and site works.’
In response to feedback, the new application is smaller than the
previously approved plans. The new pavilion will provide changing
room spaces for the adjacent sports field as well as two halls, one small
and the other large, a kitchen, toilets, and storage facilities. The
changing rooms will still be Sports England standard but there will be
less car parking than previously applied for, and the layout of the
smaller hall has been adjusted. If you wish to check it out yourself, the
planning number to put into the search box on the VOWH planning
website is P22/V2377/FUL. Their target decision date is 28 November.
North Hinksey Parish Council arranged for an Ecological Report before
the application was submitted. This was very detailed and the study
included habitats, flora, and fauna surveys. It makes fascinating reading
as Hutchcomb’s Copse and Fen were subject to extensive surveys with
experts investigating their hydrology and associated botanical and
invertebrate interest.
The results of two public consultations and a community questionnaire
can all be viewed alongside the planning application on the Vale’s
website. The views of a few people regarding the Scout Hut used by
4th Oxford Scouts have been previously documented and commented
upon within The Sprout and elsewhere. This article is not intended to
stir up activity such as last year’s shocking Christmas card campaign!
This is how architects Jessop & Cook reported on the condition of both
the former Scout Hut and the current Pavilion: